More than 180 students attended a one-day workshop on Monday November 14 at the Palace Hotel organised by Manx charity Junior Achievement.
The session was run to coincide with Global Entrepreneur Week, which saw thousands of events in 160 countries inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity.
The aim of the workshop was to inspire students setting up their own businesses through the Junior Achievement company programme, which gives young people the opportunity to form and run their company over the course of one academic year and is widely recognised as the world’s top entrepreneurial programme for young people in education.
The workshop, sponsored by Barclays and the Department of Economic Development, was attended by A-level students from Ballakermeen, Castle Rushen, Queen Elizabeth II and St Ninian’s high schools, Ramsey Grammar School and students from the University College Isle of Man.
Ian Pilley from Barclays in the Isle of Man said: ‘The Junior Achievement business start-up workshop is a great opportunity for the island’s younger generation to hear from a range of successful entrepreneurs as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week and we hope the speakers have encouraged students to start thinking about potential business ideas.
‘Barclays is a keen supporter of inspiring young people to get the skills they need for a better future. We have been successful in helping many local students transition from education to employment by developing the skills that employers seek in new recruits.
‘Barclays is very pleased to support initiatives such as Global Entrepreneurship Week which aims to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and gives young people the encouragement and guidance to fulfil their potential.’
Students heard from three inspirational entrepreneurs, two of whom were past participants of the Junior Achievement company programme.
The first guest speaker was Fraser Doherty MBE who set up SuperJam at 14, using his grandmother’s jam recipes. After selling his produce at farmers’ markets and to delicatessens, he developed a method of producing jam 100% from fruit.
After setting up production, creating a brand and perfecting his recipes, Fraser became the youngest ever supplier to a major supermarket chain when Waitrose launched the range in March 2007. SuperJam now supplies over 2,000 supermarkets around the world.
Joining him were Ben Towers and Zoe Jackson MBE. 18-year-old Ben has already proved that you can accomplish anything at any age. He started his first business, Towers Design – a digital marketing company, aged 11 and now employs a team of 19 staff.
The teenager is often on TV promoting young people in business and has featured in CBBC’s business show Pocket Money Pitch as well as frequently appearing on other shows. Ben has been praised by Richard Branson as ‘one of the most exciting entrepreneurs’ and The Times listed him as the one of the most influential and powerful teenagers on the planet.
Multi-award-winning entrepreneur Zoe Jackson set up the Living the Dream Performing Arts Company at the age of 16 in 2006 to inspire young people and to subsidise her own performing arts education.
Over the last 10 years, Living the Dream has grown to include a school of performing arts in Hertfordshire, a professional dance company, a talent agency and a charity, the Dream Foundation.
In June 2015 she was honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and appointed MBE for services to young entrepreneurs and the performing arts.
Department of Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly MHK said: ‘The department fully supports the work of Junior Achievement Isle of Man. Their work of developing, inspiring and mentoring young people absolutely aligns with the department’s goals to sustainably grow the economy and create quality career opportunities. There is no reason why any junior achiever cannot mirror or exceed the success of today’s speakers.
‘I would encourage any aspiring young entrepreneur to take full advantage of all the opportunities provided by Junior Achievement and to speak to one of the team at the Department of Economic Development to find out about the support we offer to prospective businesses.’
Junior Achievement is a member of Junior Achievement Europe which works with 31,380 schools, with the help of 116,687 teachers and 164,363 business volunteers to empower 3,454,750 million students across 39 countries.
If you would like to get involved with fundraising or volunteering visit jaiom.im or call Sue Cook on 666266.
Photo - Guest speakers Zoe Jackson, Fraser Doherty and Ben Towers, third, fourth and fifth left respectively, with Barclays’ Ian Pilley, fourth right and Junior Achievement’s Alex Day, Lisa Morris, Stephanie Stock, Sue Cook and Joy Spence. Picture Andrew Barton.
